Anita says "Prabhu's father is the only son of my father". How is Anita related to Prabhu?

Appeared in: ESIC Nursing Officer 2016 (Shift -2)

Explanation

The statement is made by Anita. The phrase 'the only son of my father' refers to Anita's brother.
Substituting this back into the main sentence, it reads: 'Prabhu's father is Anita's brother'.
If Prabhu's father is Anita's brother, then Anita is Prabhu's paternal aunt.

Option B: Anita and Prabhu are in different generations. Anita is the sister of Prabhu's father, not Prabhu's sister.
Option C: If Anita were Prabhu's mother, her statement would refer to her husband, not her brother.
Option D: This relationship implies a two-generation gap. The puzzle describes a one-generation gap between Anita and Prabhu.

Visual 1: Diagram - A simple family tree illustrating the relationships between Anita's father, Anita, her brother (Prabhu's father), and Prabhu to clarify the generational lines.
Visual 2: Flowchart - A step-by-step flowchart showing how to deconstruct the sentence 'Prabhu's father is the only son of my father' to arrive at the final relationship.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning - Blood Relations as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question assesses logical deduction and the ability to understand complex relationships, a foundational skill for critical thinking in any professional field.
While not a clinical scenario, solving such puzzles strengthens the analytical skills needed to interpret patient histories and complex family health patterns.
What if the statement was 'Prabhu's father is a son of my father' (not 'only son')? The relationship would not change. Anita would still be Prabhu's aunt, as her father would have one or more sons, one of whom is Prabhu's father.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the speaker (Anita) and the person whose relationship is being defined (Prabhu).
Break down the core statement: 'Prabhu's father is the only son of my father'.
Analyze the clause 'the only son of my father' from the speaker's (Anita's) perspective. This identifies her brother.
Substitute this simplified relationship back into the main statement: 'Prabhu's father is my brother'.
From this clear statement, determine the relationship of the speaker (Anita) to the subject (Prabhu). The sister of one's father is their aunt.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QOmLdDrLvXHpZmLMz2gmX3

Practise the full ESIC Nursing Officer 2016 (Shift -2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.